A Brief History - Chalybeate Spring

Royal Tunbridge Wells originates directly from the discovery of Chalybeate Spring by Dudley, Lord North in 1606.

In poor health, the twenty-five year old Dudley went to recuperate at Lord Abergavenny's estate at Eridge. While out riding he came across a natural spring. Confident that this pure water had restored him to perfect health, he spread the word among royalty and nobility alike.

The first historic record of a royal 'partaking of the waters' was
Queen Henrietta, who in 1629 stayed for six weeks to recover
from the birth of her second son, the future Charles II

Charles II and Queen Catherine enjoyed the waters on many
occasions in the 1660s.

As word spread that Chalybeate Spring had ‘health giving’ properties,
this started to attract huge crowds to the common, and a good time
was had by all, with regular festivals, fairs and theatre groups.

As pointed out before, Royal Tunbridge Wells Spring Water
is from the same aquifer that naturally feeds the Pantiles
directly from Chalybeate Spring.